Ten Beers-a-Drinking...

Tis the season

There are less than two weeks until Christmas, which can only mean one thing… it’s time for me (and every other beer blogger for that matter) to publish a list of Christmas beers you must go try immediately. I know I do this every year, and many of these beers don’t change from year to year, but that should only serve to strengthen their case for why you should go drink them immediately. If you’re new, and would like to see past lists, click here and here.

And honestly, these Christmas beer list blog posts are some of my highest click-count posts, so obviously the readers are clamoring for more Christmas craft beer recommendations… who am I to argue with the people?

I will, however, refrain from using gimmicks this year – just 10 craft-brewed delicious Christmas-themed brews to get you through the holidays and increase your overall merriment. These are in order, starting with the best, in my opinion. The descriptions below, however, are those of the breweries themselves and are not my opinion. Let’s hit it.

1) Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s Gingerbread Stout (GBS)

This beer is so good, it scored a 100 on BeerAdvocate. That should be enough of a reason right there, but if you need more… GBS is an imperial milk stout brewed with fresh local ginger and honey. The flavors range from milk chocolate and vanilla to honeycomb, cinnamon and a snap of ginger in the finish. The beer pours a dark mahogany color and has a caramel colored head and silky mouthfeel. Bourbon vanilla beans and cinnamon dominate the nose, making for a truly special drinking experience.

Like freagin' Christmas in a bottle!

2) Tröegs Brewing Company’s Mad Elf

The Mad Elf, a cheerful creation to warm your heart and enlighten your tongue, is a combination of cherries, honey, and chocolate malts that deliver gentle fruits and subtle spices. Fermented and aged with a unique yeast, this ruby red beer has significant warming strength that underlies the pleasant character of this intriguing yet delicious Ale. These guys vary from year to year, so even if you've had one before, you should definitely have one again. But tread cautiously – that alcohol heat does not mess around!

3) Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Christmas Ale

Great Lakes Christmas Ale is another perennial favorite. It pours ruby red with a beautiful white head and the flavors range from sweet roasted barley to honey, cinnamon and fresh ginger. There are also very subtle hops involved, but the spices dominate the flavor and aroma. The ABV is a modest 7.5%, so it’s a bit less menacing than the first two I listed – overall a wonderful treat to be had.

So that's how it gets to Virginia

4) Anchor Brewing’s 2014 Anchor Christmas Ale

Another Christmas beer that changes every year, and is always delicious, is Anchor’s Christmas Ale. This year is their 40th Christmas Ale, and just as in the 39 previous editions, the intent is joy and celebration of the newness of life. Not a lot is published about the recipe of this beer – Anchor has listed everything as “Top Secret” – but it pours a dark ruby red color and has a balanced sweet and holiday-spiced flavor and aroma profile that is sure to delight.

5) St. Louis Brewery’s Schlafly Christmas Ale

Schlafly’s Christmas Ale is a warming winter ale that blends the spices of the season with sweet caramel malt.  Orange peel, juniper berries, ginger root, cardamom and cloves are added for spiciness.  They also use honey in the fermentation process, which raises the ABV without producing too much heat from the alcohol content. The beer pours a beautiful deep copper color with white head and is 8% ABV. Sure to smooth the rougher edges of enjoying each other’s company this season.

Glogg it is not, delicious it is

6) Southern Tier Brewing Company’s 2xMAS Ale

2xMAS Ale was inspired by a Swedish concoction known as Glogg. This holiday brew combines traditional brewing ingredients with figs, orange peels, cardamom, cinnamon, clove and ginger root, perfect for knocking the ice off of toes while raising spirits – another reason to toast the season.

7) Avery Brewing Company’s Old Jubilation Ale

Old Jubilation is an English old ale / winter strong ale that has a gorgeous mahogany hue, a hint of hazelnuts, and a finish reminiscent of mocha and toffee. No spices, just a perfect blend of five specialty malts – two-row, special roast, black, chocolate and victory malted barley. Combined with bullion hops, this non-spiced holiday warmer is delicious, and a welcome addition to your holiday plans.

Baby it's cold outside...

8) Anderson Valley Brewing Company’s Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale

Winter Solstice is a take on the classic style of “winter warmer.” Boasting a deep amber hue and rich mouthfeel, its creamy finish will lift your spirits. Hints of toffee, spice, and caramel tease the senses making this the perfect ale to share with friends and family during the cold days and long nights of winter.

9) Port City Brewing Company’s Tidings Ale

Tidings Ale is a strong Belgian style blond ale brewed with local Maryland wildflower honey and Virginia wheat. These special local ingredients store away the flavors and essence of summer, and later warm us during the cold winter months. It is gently spiced with coriander, cardamom, fresh ginger and grains of paradise.

Good tidings we bring...

10) Boston Beer Company’s Sam Adams Old Fezziwig Ale

Spicy & bold, this festive ale is bursting with the flavors of the season.  With a full body and spice it’ll help those long winter nights pass more quickly.  The rich malt character creates notes of sweet toffee, caramel, & roasty chocolate while classic holiday spices like cinnamon, ginger and orange peel dance on the tongue bringing with them the celebratory spirit of the season.

This is certainly not an all-inclusive list, but it is my top ten Christmas beers, as of 2014. These are all available for purchase in the Northern Virginia area, so those that are local to my neck of the woods should have no trouble finding these treats. And in the case of number one and nine, there is no reason you Northern Virginians couldn't stop into the breweries themselves to try these delicious brews in person. Now THAT is a recommendation. Happy holidays!

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!